Whereas, during
the Vietnam War many Vietnamese men and women fought alongside the United
States in defending freedom and the priciples of democracy in their homeland;
and

Whereas, from
1961 to 1975, almost 800,000 Vietnamese freedom fighting men and women
were wounded and over 250,000 killed, yet their sacrifices were not recognized;
and

Whereas, many
officers and enlisted personnel of the former Republic of Vietnam were
imprisoned as enemies of the state, as were several intellectuals, teachers
and artists; and

Whereas, the
end of the Vietnam conflict produced an exodus of over tow million Vietnamese
who sought political asylum in the free world, and bravely risked their
lives to live under the propriety of democracy; and

Whereas, the
three red stripes on the flag of the Republic of Vietnam which Vietnamese
freedom fighters defended is an eternal symbol of hope and love of freedom,
just as the American flag symbolizes these virtues for citizens across
America; and

Whereas, traditionally,
the former Republic of Vietnam celebrated June 19th as a day to commemorate
and honor both the fallen and the living heroes who have dedicated their
lives to bringing international attention to the need for the greater observance
of and respect for human rights in Vietnam;

Now, therefore,
we, the City Council of Holland, Michigan, do hereby recognize April 30th,
as

Vietnamese
American Freedom Fighter Day

In the City
of Holland, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.